Inspiring Simmonds will leave legacy

ELLIE SIMMONDS materialised for just a moment after her race but then vanished, ducking under some security tape to avoid the mixed zone which competitors are supposed to walk through and where awkward questions can lurk.

Though the messages that emanate from these Paralympics are almost universally positive, it is still sport. A world where superiority can seem so fleeting and the process of diminishing powers and falling behind the field so brutal.

A two-length race of the Olympic pool yesterday not only left Simmonds eight seconds behind her compatriot and successor Maisie Summers-Newton (right), but fully four seconds adrift of the American who took bronze. That would never have been how she imagined the Tokyo Paralympics 100metre breaststroke final to play out.

It must be hard because she is still so young. Simmonds has been around for so long and inspired so many people — not least Summers-Newton, who as a 10-yearold watched her win at London 2012 — that it’s easy to forget she is still only 26.

The passing of the baton to SummersNewton has seemed a natural process in some ways. Both women have the same achondroplasia condition. Simmonds was apparently a reassuring presence for the younger swimmer as they prepared to race together in the 200m individual medley event on Thursday. Simmonds finished fifth on that occasion — again, nearly eight seconds behind Summers-Newton.

But to be eclipsed so publicly and completely must hurt and surely explained why Simmonds ducked away out of sight last night.

Summers-Newton batted away the suggestion it must be slightly excruciating to take the podium places that Simmonds once made her own. But her answer left the impression this may be the moment one of the world’s most inspiring sports people prepares to retire.

‘Oh yes she’s fine,’ said 19-year-old Summers-Newton. ‘I don’t want to speak on behalf of her but Ellie’s here for a fourth Games just to really enjoy it and be with the team.’

Simmonds had indicated after the race in midweek that these Paralympics were bringing their share of challenges, saying: ‘I’m been working really hard with my psychologist, been having a few low points and stuff,’ she said. ‘I want to enjoy this competition and make the most of it.’